UEFA fully at war with FIFA as 'incomprehensible' Balogun decision criticised

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FT Desk

UEFA have accused FIFA of tampering with the integrity of football after the game's governing body overturned Folarin Balogun's red card in the United States' World Cup Round of 32 game against Bosnia & Herzegovina.

On Thursday, the USA striker was shown a straight red card after catching Tarik Muharemovic with his studs in a challenge that ran down the defender's leg and ankle. Following a VAR review, the referee upheld the decision and sent Balogun off.

Many observers felt the dismissal was overly severe, but tournament suspension regulations meant the player was set to miss the United States' next match against Belgium. The Americans nevertheless progressed with a 2-0 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina.

In a highly unusual development, reports surfaced over the weekend claiming that Balogun's suspension had been rescinded - something never before seen in World Cup history. FIFA later confirmed the decision, citing Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which permits the governing body to "fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure."

No detailed reasoning accompanied the ruling. It was later confirmed that. President Donald Trump had personally contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino and requested that Balogun be cleared to play.

The decision drew a swift reaction from the Belgian Football Association, which said in a statement that it was "astonished" by the outcome.

FIFA have been roundly criticised by pundits, fans, and other governing bodies, including UEFA.

The governing body of European football released a statement on Monday questioning the integrity of FIFA.

"Yesterday’s decision to suspend for a probationary period of a year the implementation of the one-match automatic suspension following the red card issued to the player Folarin Balogun crossed a red line," the statement read.

"Football, like any other sports, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition. Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not. A minimum automatic suspension of one match following a red card is not a discretionary option and does not require the decision of a competent body to be enacted. It is a principle embedded in regulations, which cannot be made subject to exceptions, let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspension.

"When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined. Equally, such decision creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, where similar situations will now require an equal treatment, to the detriment of the competition.

"Football is the most loved sport in the world because it is a beautiful game and is trusted because it is played everywhere with the same laws. A tournament is never a pure standalone and, if the tournament in question is the World Cup, it has the power to drive positive or negative consequences on the game as a whole.

"We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision."

Belgium have until a few hours before the match kicks off to submit an appeal.

UEFA-FIFA war continues

The cheapest tickets for Euro 2028, organised by UEFA, in the UK and Ireland are expected to be under £30, putting FIFA's price-gouging for the 2026 World Cup into sharp focus. 

UEFA has said it wants 40 per cent of Euro 2028 tickets to sit in its cheapest categories. At Euro 2024, those were €30 and €60, and the expectation is that prices will stay around that level.

Under current plans, about 15 per cent of tickets should cost £30 or less, with another 25 per cent at £60 or below.

Compare that with the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, where the pricing model has annoyed plenty of supporters. Dynamic pricing, resale mark-ups and general all-round expense have made it feel less like a celebration and more like a stress test.

FIFA's ability to take fans for a ride has become the stuff of ridicule in the build-up to this tournament, with huge markups for matches that aren't all that desirable to begin with, in this expanded tournament.

UEFA seem to be taking a different line and taking advantage of the animosity towards FIFA as they announced the ticket prices for Euro 2028 two years before the tournament takes place. It is expected to add a premium tier to raise revenue, but the overall structure looks more restrained. Ticket sales for the three million seats will begin after the final draw in December 2027, and the governing body says it wants the process to be fair, transparent and fan-first.

Fans who win the ballot could, in theory, buy tickets for all seven matches, including the final included, for as little as £325.

FIFA’s approach has gone the other way. The cheapest World Cup final ticket is expected to be more than £3,000. Following a team through the full eight-match route could cost more than £5,000, unsustainable and impossible for most fans.

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FT Desk

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